Spring is one of my favorite times of year, but as the resident Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I'm also acutely aware of the sleep issues that can arise as temperatures climb.
You don't have to be a naturally hot sleeper to struggle, either. Rising humidity and heat as we head into May can make getting a good night's rest a prominent difficulty for almost anyone, particularly if you live in more humid regions.
Choosing suitable bedding and accessories for the season, however, can make a significant difference in the quality of your sleep, from your best cooling mattress topper to the best cooling sheets. Below, you can shop from a selection of Sleep Editor-approved picks for spring, from airy, lightweight linens to cool-to-the-touch percales, toppers, and adjustable mattresses.
The Sleep Editor's Spring Bedding Edit for Cool Comfort This May
All prices were correct at the time of publication, and refer to 'Queen' sizes where applicable.
If you're a lover of lived-in linens, this set from Bed Threads is my top recommendation. I've been testing the 100 percent French flax linen bedding myself, and have never liked a set so much. It gets softer with every wash, with that signature, textured linen feel, and is also anti-static, anti-bacterial, and naturally temperature-regulating. This one doesn't include a duvet cover; instead swapping it for a flat sheet, which is a simple way to cool down your sleep space.
With cooling bedding, you'll need cooling pillowcases to match. These ones from Quince work to actively wick away moisture and keep you comfortable as you sleep, with a sateen weave that's STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certified, and made without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides. They feel soft to the touch and have an elevated look, which makes it effortlessly easy to make your bed look like a hotel. In reviews, customers note that they're easy to wash and iron.
I tested the Nolah AirFoam Luxe Mattress Topper for review for over two months, and I'm still incredibly impressed by its cooling properties another month on. The plush, supportive foam of this particular topper has kept me comfortable and cradled as I sleep on my side night after night, and the GlacioTex actively works to draw heat away from your body as you sleep. It's conveniently also available in two different heights.
Some people prefer to sleep under their best duvet insert or comforter, no matter the weather. If you fall into that category, this comforter is cool, soft, and breathable, and I love this bright blue colorway for spring. It's also conveniently machine washable, so you won't have to take it to a dry cleaners once it's time for a regular refresh, and it can be tumble dried low for added fluffiness, too. As there's no cover required, it ensures that making the bed is easier than ever.
This light-warm duvet insert from IKEA is ideal for spring weather, when it might be hot and sunny one day, and cold and cloudy the next. It's soft, fluffy, and filled with a hollow fiber filling that's made from recycled sources. That hollow filling also provides optimal breathability and airflow to maintain your body temperature all night long. It can also be washed frequently at high temperatures, and it dries quickly, too, particularly when hung outside.
This bed blanket adds a touch of color and texture to your room. The innovative cotton yarn fill construction offers a distinctly cool texture that’s breathable and airy, with an effortlessly relaxed look and finish. It's made with 100 percent Turkish cotton for a naturally soft feel, and it can be used alone in spring and summer, or layered over comforters, sheets, and additional blankets in winter for added coziness and warmth.
These best pillows for spring cleverly feature a double-sided cover: One is silky to help lower surface temperature by approximately four to nine degrees Fahrenheit, and one is blended with cooling rayon derived from bamboo. The fill is also cleverly adjustable – it features a zippered inner and outer cover, so you can add or remove the foam filling to suit your size, shape, or sleep position. For that reason, it's suitable for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers, with the plush feel of a down alternative pillow.
If you've got the budget to spend and are looking to invest in one of the best mattresses money can buy, opting for the Sleep Number ClimateCool will keep you cool all spring and summer long, and warm and cozy once fall arrives. Each side of the mattress can be adjusted by up to 30° cooler or warmer, for a uniquely personalizable product. You can also use automated programs to adjust your temperature throughout the night.
Don't be afraid to embrace color and pattern when it comes to your spring bedding. This chic set from IKEA proves you don't have to spend a lot for something that looks and feels premium, and is made of a puckered, seersucker fabric that works to keep the fabric away from your skin and promote air circulation to keep you cool and comfortable. The tie enclosures included on both the pillows and duvet inserts ensure your bedding won't slip or slide in the night.
Whichever bedding picks you opt for, don't forget that it's even more important to regularly wash, dry, and care for your bed linens in spring and summer than it is in fall and winter, as higher temperatures make sleep hygiene more difficult to maintain.
You should also air your bedding every morning to avoid trapping moisture and heat from your body. I tend to throw my covers back as soon as I get up and leave my bedroom to shower and get ready, and make it just before I leave, so I always return to a bedroom that's clean, neat, and well looked after, which, in turn, helps me to sleep better all year long.
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